What kind of underwater sport became popular in the 1960s in the USA?
Octopus wrestling involves a diver grappling with a large octopus in shallow water and dragging it to the surface.
An early article on octopus wrestling appeared in a 1949 issue of "Mechanix Illustrated".
Octopus wrestling was most popular on the West Coast of the United States during the 1960s. At that time, annual World Octopus Wrestling Championships were held in Puget Sound, Washington. The event was televised and attracted up to 5,000 spectators. Trophies were awarded to the individual divers and teams who caught the largest animals. Afterwards, the octopuses were either eaten, given to the local aquarium, or returned to the sea.
More Info:
en.wikipedia.org
What are your thoughts on this subject?
35 Comments
Christine Perfect
How can that be classed as a sport 😠
Emm Yo
Absolutely wrong. I cannot understand this cruelty to innocent creatures.
Susan Madanat
Why is the human race so vicious towards the creatures that have the misfortune to share the planet with us?
billyboy915
It's difficult to describe this OBSCURE and grotesque "sport" as "POPULAR", when at its peak it only drew about 5000 spectators. That's nothing compared to the crowds American football, basketball, hockey, and baseball draw in the US!
I'd call this "sport" a fad and I'm glad it's past its time like Pet Rocks.
Alicia Szot
This is a sport? No....this is abuse of animals. Disgusting!
Deborah Gabriel
No! Leave the animals alone!
Keith Richard Mears
"Sport", yeah, right.
Kimberly Kennedy
Very sad considering that science has proven they have extremely high intellect.
Char
Poor octopus an unwilling wrestling partner I'm sure..rather disgusting to me
Susan Hodson
Sport? I think not!!!!
Dawn Bunker
Why would anyone have the audacity to pose this question
Treffer 1
Debra Coleman, I agree.
Treffer 1
Patricia Ryan, Any creature,not only sea !
Treffer 1
perthcelebrant, I agree,totally unacceptable.
Carl Belken
Jellyfish restling?
Mary Wilson
Estelle Tweedie Strydom, a wonderful documentary it is inspiring and demonstrates how much intelligence the octopus possesses. With care and understanding the octopus can relate to us
Lynne Zeman
Cruel. I had no idea.
seane
Steve Tingle, and they usually taste good!
Patricia Ryan
Should never have been a so called sport. An octopus is a very intelligent species and no sea creature should be abused in this way.
Steve Tingle
Pity they didn't use the blue ringed octopus!
Steve Tingle
Susan Madanat, because the bible tells us that man has dominion over all animals, which is usually inrerpreted as we can do what we want to them!
Estelle Tweedie Strydom
Watch "My Octopus Teacher" instead!!
seane
I can guarantee non of these ever become popular ever.
Debra Coleman
I do wonder why the USA have ‘World Championships’ in sports they are the only country competing in? This one is just cruelty, not sport.
Iriss Blaine
Leave animals alone to live out their natural lives! Torturing octopi is akin to greyhound racing, cockfighting, dogfighting, and the worst of them all, bullfighting. There is NO place for crulety of any kind on this planet!